gril drinking bottled water
Americans drink 24 million gallons of bottled water every day. Even though it costs roughly 1,900 times more than tap water, we drink it because we think it is better. Is it? And, how much water do we need each day anyway?
Is bottled water a new fad?
Selling bottled water began in Maine in the mid-1800s. A man named Joseph Ricker became ill and was healed by drinking water from a spring located on his land. During this time period, water was not clean. It carried diseases like cholera. Thus, if you drank clean water when you were sick it could actually heal you. Amazed by its healing properties, Ricker began selling the spring water in 1845 under the name Poland Spring. The water was sold in barrels. Health benefits of spring water were boasted and, by 1860, a doctor in Maine began prescribing it for the treatment of bladder and kidney disease. By 1883, demand was so high that the company began to bottle the water. Poland Spring entered the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and won the Medal of Excellence. In 1904, the company’s bottled water won the grand prize at the St. Louis World’s Fair after being tested for purity. Today, Poland Spring turns out 69 bottles every second with annual sales of $628 million in the US alone. Not bad for a company who sells the most abundant substance on Earth.
Is bottled water cleaner than our tap water?
Not according to a 2008 study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit public health advocacy group. They tested 10 popular brands of bottled water and found chemical contaminants in every bottle. There were a total of 38 contaminants, with an average of eight pollutants per brand. Some of the pollutants included: disinfection byproducts, fertilizer residue, caffeine, pain medication, bacteria, heavy metals and minerals including arsenic and radioactive isotopes, and industrial chemicals such as solvents, plasticizers, viscosity decreasing agents and propellants.
Walmart’s and Giant’s store brands of bottled water were indistinguishable from tap water. In fact, it’s estimated that 45% of all bottled water is actually tap water. Additionally, Walmart’s brand contained levels of disinfection byproducts, trihalomethanes that exceeded the legal limit. These chemicals have been linked with cancer and reproductive problems. Another cancer-causing chemical, bromodichloromethane, also was found at levels exceeding safety standards. Giant’s brand also contained contaminants that exceeded allowable levels. What’s really scary is that these bottles of water came from California, a state known for it’s strict environmental standards and regulations.
But it gets even scarier. Municipal water companies are required by law to tell us what chemicals are in the water they supply us. Yet, bottled water companies are not required by law to tell us what’s in their water. They do not have to tell us if the bottled water contains contaminants. In fact, in most states, they don’t even have to tell us where the water comes from, if it’s purified, or if it’s just tap water in a bottle. It’s no wonder the EPA has said, “Bottled water is not necessarily safer than your tap water.”
How can you protect yourself from contaminants?
Don’t drink bottled water. But, be careful because tap water also contains contaminants. The Environmental Working Group recommends drinking tap water that you filter yourself. We use a whole house water filter. It was expensive, but it’s an investment in our health.
How much water do I need?
When asked how much water we need to drink each day, most people don’t know. The most common answer is eight 8-ounce glasses. But, did you know this rule of thumb is not supported by scientific data? Dr. Frederick Stare suggested it in 1974. This suggestion caught on and is still used today, likely because it is easy to remember.
The truth is, the exact requirement is unknown. It’s too difficult to calculate one recommendation for everyone because the amount depends on several factors including age, ambient temperature, humidity, activity level, health status, types of food you consume, and if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. What we do know is how vital water is to our health. Water helps prevent constipation, boost energy levels, improve your complexion and lubricate joints. And, proper hydration can lower your risk of colon and bladder cancer, as well as your risk of a heart attack.
Water can also help you lose weight. Most of us misread the signal for thirst. All too often when our body tells us we’re thirsty, we perceive it as hunger so we eat. Mistaking thirst for hunger leads to weight gain. And since nearly 70% of America is either overweight or obese, I wonder how often we shovel in more calories instead of reaching for a drink of water.
So, how much water do you need?
Don’t rely on your sense of thirst to determine your water requirement. By the time you feel thirsty, you are probably already mildly dehydrated. Instead, look to your urine. In general, your fluid intake is probably adequate if your urine is either colorless or faintly yellow throughout the day.
Bottom Line: Drink filtered water and make it a goal to have light yellow or clear urine throughout the day.